Castello degli Ezzelini
The walls of Castello degli Ezzelini are built from Brenta River pebbles — stone pulled straight from the water below — and you can see that origin in the texture of every course. What stands today is partial and deliberate: an irregular quadrilateral rising to 13.5 metres in places, with two surviving towers and a restored walkway along the battlements that puts you level with the Bassano rooflines.
The castle gave the Ezzelini family its name and its seat of power, and Ezzelino III da Romano — one of medieval Italy's more feared rulers — ran his domain from here. The structures have since passed through Scaligeri, Visconti and Venetian hands, survived a siege in 1411, fell to another in 1508, and spent four centuries quietly collapsing under vegetation before restoration brought the camminamento di ronda back to life.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to head straight for the narrow passage behind the Torre di Ser Ivano — the autonomous tower standing apart from the main body — where the outer perimeter walls open up to a clear line of sight toward the mountains. The Torre dell'Ortazzo in the southwest corner rewards a second look: squat, thick-walled, and carrying a genuinely strange history as a burial site for those pulled from the Brenta.
The story behind Castello degli Ezzelini
Defensive works on this site appear in documents from 998, though the stone structures visible now date to the early twelfth century. In the second half of that century, the Bishop of Vicenza transferred the castle to Ezzelino I, founder of the dynasty that would take its name from the place. His descendant Ezzelino III da Romano made it a seat of real power — and real brutality — across the region.
After the Ezzelini line ended, the castle passed to the Scaligeri in 1311, then the Visconti, then Venice from 1404 onward. It held off a bombardment by Emperor Sigismondo of Luxembourg in 1411 but fell to Maximilian of Austria's siege in 1508. Military use ceased shortly after, and the structures deteriorated for centuries until a significant collapse in 1928 prompted the restoration that makes it visitable today.
Good to know
Open Wednesday through Monday, 8 AM to 7 PM. Entry is paid; guided tours of the walkway are available. Only portions of the castle can be visited. From Bassano del Grappa station, it's a short walk. Come in the morning to have the battlements to yourself.
May through October gives you the most reliable sun, with July and August the warmest months — daytime highs around 27°C. Winter is quiet and occasionally snowy, with temperatures dipping below freezing at night; the walls are exposed, so dress accordingly whenever you're up on the walkway.
Where is Castello degli Ezzelini?
Location
- In Bassano del Grappa
- 45.7685, 11.7330
- Open in Google Maps
Rating
4.4 ★ · 489 Google reviews
More tickets & tours for Castello degli Ezzelini
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Castello degli Ezzelini
Look out at amazing river view in the medieval castle 🏰 and good bridge view of the bassano
Parts of the castle date back to the 12th century. However, most of it cannot be visited. The sort of place to stop at if you're nearby, but not worth going out of your way for. Perhaps the local council could make more of the attraction.
Quaint ancient place overlooking Brenta River
Great architecture.
Nice
More of Bassano del Grappa
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Bassano del Grappa →More attractions in Bassano del Grappa
All of Bassano del Grappa →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.